Thursday, December 09, 2010

On our way to Chapel Hill, North Carolina for Thanksgiving, we said No Thanks to 95 and instead, strolled down through Eastern Maryland and the Outerbanks. We did two nights in Chincoteague and two nights in Nags Head.

We must have rolled down every sand dune Jockey Dunes had to offer and collected at least 100 neck-laces worth of sea-shells.

Saturday, December 04, 2010

One way to do this (feel alive) is to pack your bags four days after you run a half marathon for a 'long weekender' to Europe. The Photos

So, while I still can find my crumpled piece of scrap paper (a Swiss Air ticket) that I jotted down some epiphanies, insights and other notes onto, let me record this onto my Web Log...

+ The
problem with a Lonely Planet writer illuminating a sweet hidden local gem …is
that it kind of ruins the whole ‘hidden’, and ‘local’ part. I believe we found this out the hard way and
hence forth avoided all other hidden treasure recommendations. Lonely Planet should let the planet be lonely.
My vote would be to get your sneakers on, find a map (and preferably be with a person who can read a map)
and start exploring.

+ I knew Connor was a mean one with a map (like glance at a map showing a labyrinth of side streets, rivers and converging metropolitan areas - while driving - and seamlessly find his next turn). But, I am telling you, I was astounded at how we covered about 12 miles a day over three days and saw some of the most amazing pieces of history imaginable, all through Connor navigating via a TINY free little 4" x 4" map we got at the Visitors desk.

+ Barcelona - an old city, drenched in history. While walking, you may rub shoulders with the old Roman Wall, happen upon the old Cathedral and bump into one spectacular spectacle after another. Much of the city was not well organized with large descriptions and promotions of its 'sights'. It was quite non-presumptuous.

+ Guadi - amazing

La Sagrada Familia

la Casa Batllo

+ Even the Barcelona airport was a cultural experience. Europe (or the limited places I have been) seems to be a melting pot of languages, currencies and cultures. It felt to me like Europe is In-It together. It made me feel a world apart, being in the U.S.

+ I saw so many older people smiling, laughing. It really stood out to me. They seemed to be not so jaded by a "hard life." But, instead truly happy.

+ No one is in a hurry. I call this the Chill Factor. We're talking business men drinking beers in their business suits over extended lunches; people playing cards over breakfast. Smoking, drinking, smiling laughing. I get why people describe Europeans as Live for Today.

+ I got by with my 'Mi hablo Espanol muy pequito'. But, thank goodness for my Pictionary skills.... Those of you who know me well can probably can conjure up a great visual or two.

+ I am not particularly convinced that the Spanish are in love with Americans. I could be wrong.

+ The gracious town of Basel hosted us for one night also. I found Switzerland to be so clean, just pristine and full of old-world beauty. Cold, quite cold as well.

I am SO VERY eternally grateful to have been able to do this trip, and for this, I truly owe mi marido que adoro. We had a total blast.

Also...I'm sure it goes without saying that I am operating on about a six week lag, but as I have said before, at least I am in operation.

Also, I should
mention, while the post below is still somewhat "fresh", that I smoked (IMO of course) the halfer with a 1
hour and 53 minute time - at least for a first-timer who had no goal
whatsoever beyond 'just finishing' (preferably without embarrassment). I
got so nervous and excited for the Race and I loved having those
feelings. What better way to keep those fires burning than our trip to
Barcelonita?